Chapter 2 Tiger Cub (Part 2) Xuzi was born in a humble background. The biggest officials he met before joining the army were just helpers in the yamen. Even now, in his eyes, those wealthy and aristocratic families were as insurmountable as the gods in the sky.
But Yang Guang looked at the ministers from a downward angle. In his eyes, whether they were princes, nobles, nobles, or ordinary people, they were all his subjects. Even if they were different, the difference was not very big. Therefore, at this moment, the monarch and his ministers
It is impossible for people to be in touch with each other. On the contrary, the more afraid one is of hearing something, the more the other wants to say something.
"You have good intentions, well, it's a pity that all the ministers..." Yang Guang shook his head repeatedly in front of countless civil and military officials.
"Your Majesty, without the concerted efforts of all the adults from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to draw such a detailed map of Liaodong just by myself!" Li Xu was so embarrassed that his neck turned purple, and without waiting for the adults to apologize, he took the lead and said
"Oh!" Yang Guang raised his eyebrows high and looked at Li Xu's face, which was so red that it was bleeding, and then at the expressionless civil and military ministers on his left and right sides. After a moment, he finally understood the young man's difficulties.
, "Whose contribution belongs to whom. Although the contributions of civil and military officials are much greater than yours, they are all elsewhere, not on this map!"
Sighing, he added, "Last time, it was my fault that I did not estimate the situation in Liaodong well enough, so everyone was not prepared enough. Why should I blame others? I am very pleased that you can show off the prestige of the Sui Dynasty in the face of a great defeat."
I presented this map again this year, I..." Yang Guang looked at Li Xu, feeling full of affection for the young man in front of him. He wanted to give the young man another official position, but then he thought that it had not been two months since he had been promoted to general.
, if you are promoted again, some of the ministers will definitely smile and say: "I will give you another hundred-refined sword to help you fight with divine power on the battlefield, and then make meritorious service to me in killing the enemy!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty!" Li Xu took half a step back, bowed, raised his hands to his eyebrows, and then stood solemnly. The sword given to him by the emperor may not be as easy to use as his black sword, nor may he really have the essence of hundreds of refinements, but no matter who it is.
Being able to actually use the royal sword to chop off the enemy's head represented a kind of respect among the Sui army. It meant that military achievements were recognized by the emperor and remembered in his heart. Those who hold this sword have a much higher chance of promotion in the future.
to other colleagues
If when Li Xugang entered the military tent, most of the people looked at him with contempt, then at this time, these contemptuous eyes had many different meanings. Some people began to calculate whether the young man in the account could be used by their own family, and some also began to
Consider whether your status is about to be threatened. There are only so many positions in the court, and the world's rich and powerful families are not fixed. The rise of new military dignitaries often means squeezing out the interests of others. This has never changed.
Fixed formula, cannot be changed by human beings
When there is no conflict of interest, everyone can be friends. But what if there is a conflict of interest? Should we nip in the bud those forces that may grow?
Under the complicated eyes of everyone, the imperial guards brought the Hundred Refined Sword to His Majesty the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty, took it with his own hands, and hung it on Li Xu's waist. "Work hard, I am optimistic about you!" At the moment when Li Xu bowed to thank you again, Yang Guang
He moved his shoulders and warned him kindly like an elder in the family.
"Your Majesty, I will go through fire and water, even if I die!" Li Xu heard the tone of his voice completely changed. He couldn't suppress the excitement from deep in his heart. The history books he had read before told him that the biggest fear of a general is not being appreciated by the king.
Throughout the ages, I don’t know how many heroes have spent their entire lives waiting, but God has been so kind to me. When I was just seventeen years old, I met a great emperor with a discerning eye.
"I look forward to your return!" Yang Guang smiled and whispered. The moment his eyes left Xu Zi's body, a layer of cloud suddenly rolled over his face, and it quickly faded away without leaving any trace. "Your
A, does it seem to be very sophisticated?" His Majesty the Emperor asked with a smile.
"It's a gift from Mr. Tang to the general!" Li Xu answered unsuspectingly, his heart still soaked in blood.
"Good armor. If my guess is correct, this is an armor leaf made of iron from the Western Regions and lined with rhinoceros skin?" The smile on Yang Guang's face became thicker and thicker, as thick as a cloud with accumulated rain.
"I don't know, I have never, never bought armor!" Li Xu lowered his head and looked at the black armor leaves glowing with blue light on his body, and answered with some embarrassment that this armor was from Tang Gong Li Yuan after a banquet.
Because the color matched the black wind very well, Li Xu always liked to wear it when fighting. Today, the palace guards suddenly came to announce the call. Time was short, and he had no time to change his robes, so he had to wear armor to see the commander.
After hearing Li Xu's words, Yang Guang was slightly startled, and the smile on his face immediately turned into curiosity. "You haven't bought any armor. Didn't you prepare your own uniform before joining the army?"
According to the practice of the Sui Dynasty, the children of good families were required to prepare their own war horses and weapons when joining the army. However, many wealthy families often bought a good armor at a high price to keep with them. Although it was distributed uniformly among the eastern and western armies, the quality may not be as strong as the ones they bought themselves, and it would not be easy to wear.
There may not be any that he buys that will fit him, but Li Xu has never bought any armor. His family's poverty at that time indeed exceeded His Majesty's imagination.
"No, I didn't prepare the general. All the money he spent on buying horses!" Li Xu said very awkwardly. He couldn't just say that he was poor, otherwise it would be tantamount to accusing the emperor of not caring about the people and letting the warriors who were about to go to the battlefield lose their armor.
He couldn't afford it, let alone admit that he ran outside the Great Wall to avoid military service, otherwise he would be charged with deceiving the emperor. No matter how many heads he had grown, he wouldn't be able to cut it off. So, he had to use the word "buying a horse" to excuse him, and he blushed as he had never lied.
It's more vivid than a thief caught on the wrist
"I forgot about you going to sell horses outside the Great Wall!" Yang Guang said as if he suddenly understood.
The two of them, the monarch and his ministers, were chatting incessantly, chatting half on official business and half on private matters. The civil and military officials felt a little embarrassed. Everyone looked at me and I looked at you. They all couldn’t understand why His Majesty the Emperor, who had been so bored lately, suddenly felt better today.
Someone suggested that His Majesty the Emperor summoned Li Xu to consult with him about the geography of Liaodong. Seeing that half an hour had passed, His Majesty the Emperor's conversation had not yet turned to the war.
"I heard people say that you and Mr. Tang are from the same clan? But we have never had any contact before?" Yang Guang thought for a while and asked again.
His questions today were all random and without any order. This was very painful for Li Xu, a newcomer who was new to officialdom. He thought carefully about every question for fear of answering wrongly, but the answer to every question was always the same.
He couldn't satisfy everyone. Hearing His Majesty the Emperor ask about his relationship with Li Yuan again, Li Xu pondered for a moment and whispered back: "According to seniority, Duke Tang is indeed the clan uncle of the last general. But when the last general surrendered to the army, he
I was introduced by General Liu Hongji, and I didn’t expect to meet my uncle in Huaiyuan Town!”
This is already the best answer Xuzi can think of. After experiencing the last Q&A before the emperor, he now knows the reason why Yang Guang doesn't like Li Yuan. Through the tone of Yang Guang's words just now, he can also hear the question from His Majesty the Emperor.
There was a hint of expectation in the words, but Duke Tang treated him well, so Xuzi really couldn't follow His Majesty's wishes and completely separate himself from Li Yuan's family.
This answer made the faces of the civil and military officials in the court change color again. Regardless of whether they liked Xuzi or not, everyone could not help but shout "What a pity" in their hearts at the same time. The young man in front of him was also too stubborn. He knew that a big tree was about to fall, but he still clung to it.
It's okay to let him go, but this way, everyone won't have to bother trying to squeeze him out in the future. Just based on his answer today, he won't be able to get another promotion opportunity in a short time.
"I know, your surname is Li after all!" Yang Guang smiled again, feeling a little uninterested in his heart. Of course, he couldn't reveal his true thoughts in front of his ministers, so he turned and walked towards the imperial case, and asked in a low voice as he walked:
"I remember telling you that I will review your troops after coming to Liaodong. Now, is the Xiongwu Xiaoguo Battalion worthy of a battle?"
"Your Majesty, the Xiongwu Xiaoguo Camp is willing to fight to the death for your Majesty!" Li Xu replied loudly, going around in circles to avoid Yang Guang's question.
The Xiongwu Xiaoguo Battalion has only been training for less than two months. It can be just a show off to fool people, but if it is really used to attack the city, the result will not be better than that of other Xiaoguo battalions. But at this time, the situation no longer allows him to retreat, no matter what lies ahead
Whether it is an abyss or a mountain of swords and a sea of fire, we have to hold our heads and rush forward.
Apart from being anxious, Xu Zi secretly thought about how he could persuade the emperor to send a few more troops to feint attack from other positions, so that he would encounter less resistance along the way and the casualties would not be so heavy.
"How does the fighting strength of the warriors compare with the eight hundred warriors who went with you to Liaodong last year?" Yang Guang's thoughts were like flying immortals from the sky, and Li Xu could never keep up with them.
"Your Majesty, the officers and soldiers of the food protection army who went to Liaodong last year have all received about a year of training." Li Xu glanced at His Majesty the Emperor's face secretly, not knowing whether this answer disappointed His Majesty the Emperor.
Yang Guang shook his head, with a calm expression on his face. Li Xu's answer was within his expectations. After more than a month of siege battles, he had clearly realized that the combat effectiveness of his troops and horses was far less than last year.
The group of veterans thought about the elite soldiers of Zuo Wu, Zuo Yi and Zuo Tun whom they reviewed last year, as well as the late General Mai Tiezhang and General Xin Shixiong. He felt mixed feelings in his heart and sighed.
, asked tentatively: "If I order you to lead your soldiers to Mazhaishui again, can you go?"
"Why not? The general is willing to go." Li Xu straightened his body and replied loudly. He didn't know why the emperor sighed, but based on the kindness of the other party who personally tied the sword to him just now, Xu Zi also wanted to repay him. Moreover, at this time, Mazhai
The enemy forces on the east bank of the water were almost wiped out by the Sui soldiers and horses. Apart from being careful when passing a few isolated cities, there were almost no other obstacles along the way.
Civil and military officials suddenly became lively, and one after another came forward to admonish Yang Guangjin, telling Yang Guangjin that the war was dangerous and a new person with no reputation was assigned to take on the important task. Those who were not in line with the way of using the army asked their relatives to lead the army, and only Li Xu was asked to do it.
There are guides, but no one expresses support for Li Xu's desire to lead the army alone.
From the crowd's advice, Xuzi slowly heard some clues. For some unknown reason, the Sui soldiers and horses planned to evacuate Liaodong, but General Yuwenshu's nearly 300,000 troops were already preparing to cross the border.
The village water, therefore, someone must go to support the Eastern Expedition army at the moment to ensure that the retreat and food routes of the Eastern Expedition army are not blocked by the Goguryeo people. At present, several famous generals are out fighting, and the imperial court cannot send a particularly suitable leader.
And no one is more familiar with the geographical conditions of Liaodong than Li Xu and Liu Hongji.
"I wonder which blind Bole recommended me?" Li Xu frowned and looked around. This was not a perfect job. Last year he went to rescue people, but General Wei Wensheng burned the pontoon bridge and let three thousand people go.
Many brothers who broke through the siege died at the door of Da Sui's house. This time he went to the rescue. Maybe when the army came to the Liao River, the pontoon bridge he was looking forward to was demolished again. So, he was anxious not to claim this credit and stood on the original position.
Quietly waiting for everyone to discuss the results
"Okay, okay, I know that everyone's advice is for the country!" Yang Guang pressed his arm downwards to stop everyone's discussion, turned to Li Xu, and continued to ask: "Since the training of all heroes
If that's not enough, why are you still willing to go to Liaodong to perform meritorious service? Aren't you afraid that you will be punished by me if you fail to complete the task?"
"Or let me go?" Li Xulu was stunned for a moment. He felt a little happy about being favored, but also a little worried about the future. He looked at Yang Guang's expectant eyes, and after a brief pondering, he answered loudly.
: "Your Majesty asked Xiaoguo about his training, and I naturally wanted to tell the truth. However, the Goguryeo people in several isolated cities along the way did not know the true situation of our army. They had been discouraged by the old general Yuwenshu. How could they dare to go out of the city to attack our Sui army again?
Powerful!"
This answer was something that many civil and military officials present here did not expect. Everyone's eyes suddenly sharpened, and many of them expressed admiration.
"Do you want more troops?" Yang Guang nodded and asked with a smile. Originally, the purpose of calling Li Xu today was to inquire about the geography of Liaodong, but when he saw the young man's honest and calm demeanor, he suddenly had an idea.
Giving him the task of leading the reinforcements, it can be said that except for the fact that the young man in front of him is not satisfied with the fact that he never forgets Tang Gong's kindness, he admires him very much for his sharpness and magnanimity in other aspects.
What's wrong with being young? I was only sixteen years old when I first led the army. What's wrong with being from a humble background? General Mai and General Luo Yi were both from humble backgrounds, but they were both braver than anyone else. They were slightly disappointed with the civil and military affairs of North Korea.
Yang Guang didn't want to listen to the clichés of the officials anymore. The Sui Dynasty needed to inject some fresh blood, otherwise the top and bottom would always be so lifeless.
Li Xu knew that he would definitely not be able to escape, so he also went on an adventure. Instead of being a guide for others, he might as well lead the troops himself. After thinking about it carefully, he replied: "Since we are going to assist General Yuwenshu to withdraw his troops, there will be more people."
I am having difficulty in supplying baggage and supplies, and I only hope that Your Majesty will promise me two things, and I will definitely live up to the trust entrusted by your Majesty!"
"Say, I will try my best to make you have no worries!" Yang Guang's face turned gloomy, and he solemnly promised that it was he, His Majesty, who ordered the pontoon bridge to be burned last year. If Li Xu proposed not to burn the pontoon bridge before he came back, wouldn't it be wrong?
Let yourself lose face!
"General, I would like to thank your majesty for your kindness." Li Xu saluted again, "First, general, I would like to ask your majesty to continue sending people to attack Liaodong City, so as not to let the Goguryeo monarchs and ministers feel that our army intends to evacuate! Second, general, I hope that your majesty will allow me to evacuate."
Let go and do what you do without being bound by morality!" Li Xu looked around the crowd and spoke out his request.
Unknowingly, the restraint and timidity in him disappeared, replaced by the exuberant vitality of a young man.
"The first one, have I approved the second one? But why?" Yang Guang slightly hesitated and asked, maybe because he remembered the prosperous years of his youth, maybe because he was used to the mature and prudent officials and needed freshness.
For the sake of feeling, he really appreciates the youthful and heroic spirit that Li Xu currently exudes.
"Last year, the last general set fire to all the wheat fields along the way!" Li Xu gritted his teeth and responded. He thought of the group of people who died on the Liao River. Since he was going to Mazhai River, he might as well take revenge on the Goguryeo people again. "Mazhai River" There are many mountains on the south coast of Goguryeo, and there is little plain land. Food is supplied from the north. We will burn it once last year, and again this year. In the spring of next year, let’s see what these people eat!”
"What a ruthless young man!" Pei Yun, the admonishing doctor, was surprised to think that he and his colleagues usually found a moral reason for killing people. But this young man became ruthless and showed no moral reasons at all. He watched the young man gnashing his teeth. With such a look, he felt a sudden chill in his heart.
If he didn't offend me, could I take action against him? At the same time, many people began to hesitate
"Long live this, you must not do this. Countless people in Goguryeo will starve to death." Yu Shiji, the minister of internal history, came out to start the memorial, glanced back at Li Xu, and asked loudly, "Young man, what crime did hundreds of thousands of people in Goguryeo have? ?Are you going to do this cruel thing?"
"The creatures of Goguryeo are not guilty!" Li Xu bowed his body and replied very politely, "But last year I was killed in the Sui Dynasty.
